The Record: Reservoir answers

WHILE RESIDENTS wait for the Passaic Valley Water Commission to explain the reasoning behind its proposed $120 million project to replace the Garret Mountain reservoirs with large tanks, we still want to know why the commission hasn't joined neighboring water authorities to fight the federal law that created this issue.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandated water utilities that store treated drinking water in open-air reservoirs to cover them, build concrete tanks or re-treat the water. The rule is under federal review, so other water authorities have put off implementing their own projects until there is a resolution.

However, the Passaic Valley Water Commission is pushing ahead with its proposal to drain the reservoirs and build tanks, which would destroy much of the beauty of that area.

The first phase of the project would start in 2015 and drain the Levine Reservoir, a registered historic landmark and part of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. The next two phases would drain the scenic reservoirs at New Street, at the entrance of the Garret Mountain Reservation, and farther up the road at Great Notch.

The non-profit New Jersey Community Development Corp. is pushing for public meetings to hear if the alternatives were fully considered. The water commissioners said meetings will take place soon. Commission representatives are expected to attend a meeting that another non-profit, Paterson Historic Preservation Commission, will hold Monday at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

That's encouraging. However, it's disappointing to hear Passaic Valley Water Commissioner Rigo Sanchez say that they "want to make sure who has an agenda and who has a legitimate concern." He expressed concern at the commission's Feb. 19 meeting that it seems some people, like the members of the New Jersey Community Development Corp., already have their minds made up.

Based on the commissioners' lack of transparency with the public so far and rush to push this through despite efforts in other states to rescind the mandate, it seems their minds are made up before much public input.

The water commissioners have a lot left to share with the public at this point. It's time to open the proverbial faucet let some information flow.